Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Public hearing in case to be held on May 15, says International Court of Justice

A day after announcing a stay on the death sentence imposed on Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav, in what is widely seen as a big triumph for India, the International Court of Justice declared that a public hearing will be held on May 15.

International Court of Justice declared that a public hearing on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case will be held on May 15. (PTI)

A day after announcing a stay on the death sentence imposed on Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav, in what is widely seen as a big triumph for India, the International Court of Justice declared that a public hearing will be held on May 15.

Speaking today, MoS Home Kiren Rijiju had described the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) stay on the execution of Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court, as “a major achievement” for the government.

Senior lawyer Harish Salve, who is representing India at the Hague had revealed today that next hearing in the case at the International Court of Justice may take place on May 15. He added that Pakistan’s reaction to the ICJ announcement was “political” and that India will respond if it raises any legal issue. He revealed to Times Now that “We moved (the ICJ) for provisional relief. The case depends on also how much time Pakistan wants to put in its response to the petition which we have filed. Tentatively it will be on 15th (of May). We may have to be there and we have informed the court we are available any day next week.”

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A Pakistan Field General Court (military court) in Pakistan had sentenced Jadhav to death on charges of “spying” and planning sabotage. The order of ICJ came almost 24 hours after India approached it, official sources had revealed. The Indian complaint had said that Pakistan’s action was a violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. According PTI, the plea said that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities. However, Pakistan said he was arrested from Balochistan on March 3, 2016.